Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, cognitive decline, and deterioration of everyday performance in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Many studies have demonstrated all association between the apolipoprotein E (apoE) ε4 allele and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study is concerned with the relationship between the apoE ε4 allele and the progression of symptoms in AD. We determined rates of cognitive decline and deterioration in everyday performance prospectively over 3 years in 64 patients with clinically diagnosed AD using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Dementia Scale (DS) included in the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination (CAMDEX). Carriers and noncarriers of the ε4 allele did not significantly differ in cognitive functioning and ev..